Curse

rjwaddles · Aug 10, 2006, 08:50 PM // 20:50

i gotta lvl 15 ranger/elementalist, who i've been changing around a lot, sometimes i try out the pet, sometimes i don't, i'm not sure what to do, it seems like my guy blows compared to other lvl 15s though..

i originally had been using a pet for a while but it never seemed to work too well with me having a bow, so i scraped the pet and used more earth powers but they seem to use too much mana for my low amount so i could use some help...

anyways, i'm willing to run with the pet again, if thats what you guys suggest, but i wanted to originally do just earth powers but they aren't too great so i guess i could try other spheres, right now i'm in the outpost right after the frost gate soooo yeahhh i'll be taking suggestions..

also, i got a stalker for a pet, which i don't want, but as far as i know i'm stuck with it, am i right cause i really want a wolf?

SnipiousMax · Aug 10, 2006, 08:57 PM // 20:57

My first, honest, true sincere sugguestion is that you drop earth spells all together.

To be honest, you're not going to get much out of playing too many secondary skills/spells. Ranger's excell at being able to make the most of SKILLS not spells... and unfortunately there aren't too many straight skills in the Earth line.

Running with a pet requires a significant investment of attribute points and skill slots, so I'd say for now, just stick with the bow.

To get rid of your pet, take him to talk to the Tamer NPC outside of Ascalon, he'll take the pet off your hands.

rjwaddles · Aug 10, 2006, 09:01 PM // 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

My first, honest, true sincere sugguestion is that you drop earth spells all together.

To be honest, you're not going to get much out of playing too many secondary skills/spells. Ranger's excell at being able to make the most of SKILLS not spells... and unfortunately there aren't too many straight skills in the Earth line.

Running with a pet requires a significant investment of attribute points and skill slots, so I'd say for now, just stick with the bow.

To get rid of your pet, take him to talk to the Tamer NPC outside of Ascalon, he'll take the pet off your hands.

yeah, thats what i have come to realize so i'll just throw all my points in markmanship, expertise and survival..

thats sweet about getting rid of pets, did not know that, i'll do that at once, thanks...

Wolydarg · Aug 10, 2006, 09:59 PM // 21:59

I remember my ranger was a R/E up until Southern Shiverpeaks, I used skills like lavafont and immolate just for kicks...'twas fun setting a random bear on fire for mauling you in pre-searing...

I think I might've even used Marksman's Wager back then at the crystal desert to pump out more spells, too...aside from the eye candy though, using spells is just silly. Go shoot things, just as fun =P

Until you get all 200 attribute points I wouldn't touch beast mastery since you don't have that many points to spare anyways...

mathijn · Aug 10, 2006, 10:40 PM // 22:40

i would get a Marksmanship mask and use bow attacks
attributes should work fine like this
expertise 9(8+1)
Marksmanship 11(9+1+1)
wilderness survival 5(4+1)

Pyramus Loral · Aug 11, 2006, 08:47 AM // 08:47

Earth is a tricky element for newcommers and the good earth spells are energy pigs. Stone daggers is handy and only costs 5 energy but your bow attacks will hit for more damage with enough in markmanship.

Think, Mrauders Shot, Sundering Shot, Hunters Shot, Savage Shot, Read the wind, Barrage when you get it (it will probably be the 1st or 2nd e-skill you get) Troll and a res or what ever you want. Until you get barage bring dual shot or a prep like poison or kindle. Needeling shot can also be dropped in but it's over rated IMO.

Dump whatever you can into Marksmanship and expertise, the balance shoud go into Wilderness survival to boost up your troll.

And that pet is handy but only for special ocasions. (Like a Barrage pet team)

If you want to use your ele 2nd class more think about air magic, there is some nice spike damage and a few interups.

If you are head set on earth, think along the lines of wards. Ward against foes + pin down is a nice combo, or Armor of Earth for that extra little armor buff.

hope this helps,
You can find me in the game as Pyramus Loral if you are in need or some more assistance.

Amy Awien · Aug 11, 2006, 11:10 AM // 11:10

I always thought Ele secondary was more for the Conjure X enchantments, though I could see some utility in the blinding and interupting skills. Other then those, I'd stick to Ranger for the most part, bring preparations and some interupts, when possible. Kryta is just ahead, and you'll get a truckload of new quests and skills.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyramus Loral

And that pet is handy but only for special ocasions. (Like a Barrage pet team)

Although it may go off topic, I disagree. Pet+Bow is probably going to give the highest damage you could hope to achieve as ranger - with the exception of situational specialties like B/P or EoE tricks.

Orange Milk · Aug 11, 2006, 01:16 PM // 13:16

I Think "Ward Against Melee" is an earth skill too, Its handy for defense.

But I agree with everyone else, Stick to Marks, Exp, and WS untill you have more Attridbute Points to spread around.

Use Kindle arrows over Apply poision for now as it has a lower E cost, and load up your skill bar with 5E attacks and a couple 10E, distracting shot is only 5E and is the best interupt for you right now. Punishing Shot someday (my Fav skill btw) I agree Needleing Shot or w/e is overrated, but its 5E so its an option for you as far as E management goes. I like Hunters Shot and Determined Shot (both 5E) but neither are spamable.

SnipiousMax · Aug 11, 2006, 01:52 PM // 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy Awien

Although it may go off topic, I disagree. Pet+Bow is probably going to give the highest damage you could hope to achieve as ranger...

While it's true you can squeeze more damage out if you have a pet (think of it as a constant Conjure Phantom), you have to completely drop wilderness survival, and lower your expertise. It's a bit more difficult to manage rather than a straight bow build, especially if you don't have all the attributes you need to invest. It's entirely possible, but it does require an investment of both skills slots and attribute points.

And I'd stick with Read the Wind until you have all the attributes, and can make a decent investment in Wilderness Survival for Kindle. Troll doesn't require many points, but kindle needs quite a few to make a good return.

Amy Awien · Aug 11, 2006, 02:51 PM // 14:51

Yep. skillslots are a precious commodity when taking your pet for a walk, but Expertise can be as high as in any other 3-attrib build.

Read the Wind is a good one though, easily overlooked and does good, armor ignoring damage. Favorable Winds is another Marksmanship linked skill that increases your damage.

Tankage · Aug 11, 2006, 03:44 PM // 15:44

Check out this R/E build.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/R/E_Tainted_Flames

Pyramus Loral · Aug 11, 2006, 03:57 PM // 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy Awien

Read the Wind is a good one though, easily overlooked and does good, armor ignoring damage. Favorable Winds is another Marksmanship linked skill that increases your damage.

FW is a great skill but a word of caution to remember that it goes both ways. Every other ranger in the area feels the effect. I can't tell you how many times I have let out a giggle in an HA group or a GVG when some Ranger drops FW for me.

On the pet topic (and I know we could go back and forth on the virtues of pets.) a pet takes a min 2 skill slots, and a chunk of attrib points. YES it will deal damage, but it can also be a liability, IE the shutdown when it dies and resses. With the points re invesed in marksmanship and expertise, and having a bunch of chaining shots to use, over all you are dealing comperable damage.

I tend to treat pet/beast mastery like a 2ndary profession, nice if you can do it but it shouldn't be your focus. Seeing as the poster is going to be using Earth Magic there really isn't much left for BM and Earth Skills and Shots. The build is gonig to end up too thin and doing next to no damage over all.

Pick Me · Aug 11, 2006, 04:48 PM // 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyramus Loral

FW is a great skill but a word of caution to remember that it goes both ways. Every other ranger in the area feels the effect. I can't tell you how many times I have let out a giggle in an HA group or a GVG when some Ranger drops FW for me.

On the pet topic (and I know we could go back and forth on the virtues of pets.) a pet takes a min 2 skill slots, and a chunk of attrib points. YES it will deal damage, but it can also be a liability, IE the shutdown when it dies and resses. With the points re invesed in marksmanship and expertise, and having a bunch of chaining shots to use, over all you are dealing comperable damage.

I tend to treat pet/beast mastery like a 2ndary profession, nice if you can do it but it shouldn't be your focus. Seeing as the poster is going to be using Earth Magic there really isn't much left for BM and Earth Skills and Shots. The build is gonig to end up too thin and doing next to no damage over all.

Just a quick correction, skills reset only when pet dies, no longer when it rezes. It has been changed/fixed a while ago.

rjwaddles · Aug 11, 2006, 06:48 PM // 18:48

thanks for all the replies so far guys, my character is defintely doing a lot better, pet is gone, magic is gone, and just focusing on just being a ranger right now..

now i'll just have to fix up my skill slots, oh yeah, and i probably won't fool around too much with beastmastery or any sphere of magic until i'm all leveled up...

by the way, i'm in kyrta now..

Amy Awien · Aug 11, 2006, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Lots of fun there, green at last, but beware of Spirit Shackles.